Affirm Survey: 90% of Small Businesses Bullish on Growth, Lean on BNPL for Competitive Edge

Event summary

  • Affirm's inaugural Small Business Sentiment Survey found 90% of small business owners confident in their 12-month growth outlook.
  • 70% of respondents view Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) as a 'stamp of approval' that attracts new customers.
  • 68% of small businesses support policymakers advocating for expanded BNPL access, with bipartisan backing.
  • Affirm claims 95% of its merchant base consists of small and medium-sized businesses.

The big picture

Affirm's survey highlights how small businesses are leveraging BNPL to compete with larger rivals amid rising economic pressures. The findings underscore the strategic importance of flexible payment solutions in an environment where 86% of small businesses cite rising costs as a top concern. Affirm's merchant base—95% of which consists of small and medium-sized businesses—positions it uniquely to capitalize on this trend, provided it can sustain its trust-based value proposition.

What we're watching

Regulatory Dynamics
Whether bipartisan support for BNPL access will translate into policy changes that benefit Affirm and its merchant partners.
Competitive Differentiation
How Affirm's emphasis on transparency and no late fees will position it against competitors in the BNPL space.
Market Adoption
The pace at which small businesses will expand BNPL offerings beyond early adopters.

Related topics

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